Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets have until Monday, October 22nd, to use the $3.25 million medical exception they received for Maurice Taylor's injury.  But, after Golden State matched their offer to Marc Jackson, the Rockets don't have many options left.  Gatling and Mason are still on the market, but the Rockets aren't interested in a power forward, they want a center.  They may not use the exception at all.

"I like our guys," Tomjanovich said. "We were thinking, with injuries, we probably need three centers. Eddie (Griffin) can play some center against the backups. We're going to look at everything before we rule anything out. (Using the exception) is not a must. We're still looking at it. We have to see what's there, then measure and analyze where we're at."

The Rockets are encouraged by the preseason play of their current centers.  The attitude of Kelvin Cato, especially, gives reason to hope that he will shape up into a center worthy of the starting position.  The effort of Ike Nwankwo, who has kept playing with a broken nose, has made him worth consideration as the third center behind Cato and Jason Collier.

The Rockets' centers are just about the only injury-free players at the moment.  A Nwankwo pick knocked Glen Rice out of practice, though he shouldn't miss tomorrow's game.  Cuttino Mobley hopes to play his first game tomorrow, but is unsure.  Eddie Griffin and Walt Williams are both likely to miss the game.